AKA is now soliciting bids from experienced professional individuals or organizations to assist AKA in redesigning this website. Website design professionals interested in this opportunity can download AKA’s formal Request for Proposals here.

2017 AKA Convention Interview – Carol Pittman

We have interviewed Carol Pittman before, but it has always been with her partner Cass. This time we were able to get an interview with just her! Don’t worry, there is still a lot of love for Cass and we know everyone is looking forward to this dynamic duo doing their thing at the AKA Convention. Did you know that the both of them not only fly as a pair, they also fly in one of the United States BEST Kite Teams? They have teamed up with long time International Champions Mark and Jeanette Lummas to create Team FOUR-ce. You can often find them performing at kite festivals across the country, or, on the beach training for hours on end.

1. Tell me about yourself, where do you live, what is your favorite kite to fly? Cass and I live in San Diego with our two greyhounds Grace and Oliver. We started flying kites 8 years ago and love flying kite routines choreographed to music. A good friend John Farrell signed us up for a competition at WSIKF and this hooked us on competing. This will be our 5th year at Nationals. We love flying sport kites, both dual and quad line. Our favorite kite is whatever kite is the perfect kite for the current wind condition.

2. How many conventions have you attended? This will be our 5th

3. Who are you looking forward to reconnecting with at the convention? Our east coast and Midwest friends that we do not get to see very often.

4. What is one activity that is a must do at the convention this year? Score keeping for Hand crafted. I started doing this 4 years ago and love it. It allows me the opportunity to see all the great kites and engage with the kite makers.

5. Will you be competing? If so, in what? Yes, but we are limiting our focus this year to pairs dual line.

6. You have been elected ‘king of the kite field’ for the day. What is your first decree? Have everyone who is attending the convention bring a kite from their stash that they do not fly anymore and give it to a spectator at the convention. Show them how to assemble and help them get it in the air.

7. If you could give away one free pass to the convention, who would you give it to? That is a hard question. It would have to be to a young person who can not afford the price of admission.

8. What advice do you have for someone who is a first time attendee? Take the time to meet people outside your area of interest.

9. Who would you say is your greatest influence in the kite world and why? I would have to say Joe Hadzicki. The invention of the Revolution kite opened up a whole new way of socializing while flying kites. You can go to any place in the world and join a group of people in flying Quad line kite. This was the first sport kite that naturally brings people together.

10. What is something you think that everyone shouldn’t forget to pack and bring to the convention? Rain gear and warm clothes, because of the time of year in which it is held.

Join hundreds of your kiteflier friends for a week of flying, workshops, Annual Business Meeting, competitions, great food, and parties on the sands of Ocean City. More updates to be posted soon. Need more information? Contact Phillip Whitaker, Convention Committee Chair, bigsmile63@hotmail.com or 580-402-2102.